I don't have one particular academic memory from elementary or middle school that really influenced and shaped me, but I certainly wouldn't be who I am today without my best friend David - who I met on the very first day of kindergarten! When I got home from school that day, I was sitting outside with my grandmother when he rode by on a tricycle- we lived two houses away from each other! And from that moment on, we spent all our time together. We also realized quickly that we worked well together, or, as well as kindergarteners can 'work'. When we started really learning to read and write, I got the hang of it - whereas David was stuck. He had a lot of trouble with just about everything we were supposed to try and do related to the English language. Luckily, I could help him! But then we started learning basic math: adding and subtracting. And to me it was the most challenging thing ever. To David, he had finally found his niche, and he got really excited learning how the numbers worked, while I was consumed with wanting to learn more about stringing together full sentences. We adored our teachers and we loved school, and learning. Though it was only Kindergarten, we pretty much stayed the same all the way to our high school graduation. Because we loved teaching each other, and eventually becoming tutors in high school, we sort of had a mutual epiphany that we wanted to be teachers, and hopefully emulate some of our favorite things about the teachers we had throughout the years. And now, we're both going to college to major in Secondary Education! Except his double major is math, and mine is Spanish. Without having such supportive teachers in elementary school that fostered a happy, warm environment for us, we might have turned out differently. Instead of thriving on challenge and enjoying to learn, we may have grown to resent our teachers and any work they gave us. It was in elementary school that we first learned the difference a great teacher can make - and also how a bad teacher can affect a student. I think for most kids, in elementary school you're still excited to learn. A challenge is something exciting, sort of like an adventure! Kids just want to soak everything up, and after elementary school, that desire to learn can fade. Looking back on it now, I see how important it is that a child's desire to learn be protected and fueled so they retain it all the way through their education, even through college. Perhaps without having met David, who was just as excited as I was, I would never have had much of a thing for school. If I hadn't had Mrs. Banahan, my Kindergarten teacher, who encouraged students to help each other, I might have never discovered the joy of watching someone light up when something finally clicks in their head. I'm not sure if that was academic enough, but I sure hope it suffices. It seems pretty important to me. The people you meet and befriend can have a huge impact on your life, and who you turn out to be!
JamieButalewicz
Elementary School experience:
Living in one of the biggest school districts on Long Island, with about 12 different elementary schools, everything always had to be done by the same standards. So every year the whole district would have to take part in the GATE test, which stood for the Gifted and Talented Education program. It was very similar to an IQ test. Basically if a student scored above a certain grade, they would be offered admission into the program. It was an incentive for kids to take tests seriously and be rewarded in return.
I didn’t really like any of the kids in the program the years before, so I never tried. I never cared enough about getting into the program and frankly I didn't care too much about school either. I did okay in my classes but put in absolutely zero effort, I was one of those kids who never had to do any work and would still get in the high 80’s to low 90’s. I knew I didn’t need to do my work and I took advantage of it. My parents would always yell at me and tell me things weren’t always going to be this easy, but clearly I didn’t care or believe them whatsoever.
But, one year that changed. My absolute best friend at the time got into the program and all she did was tell me about all the great things she did and all the new friends she was making. Supposedly they played games all the time and always got to talk in the class. So, the next year I was determined to take that test and get in and have as great a time as my friends were having.
The next year I actually paid attention to what I was doing and concentrated on my work. After working really hard and actually putting the necessary effort into my schoolwork, I managed to get in, and it was probably one of the best experiences. Not because I got into the program, but because I learned that if I just put some effort into my work I could actually be in the top of my class and considered one of the smart kids! I could go from average grades to great grades, and understand everything enough to help my peers. If there's anything that has helped me grow as a student and learn that I have a ridiculous amount of potential, it was that program.
EmmaBychok
I feel very blessed with the education I received as a child. In my small town of York, Maine education is very important. I have always felt safe and all my teachers were excited to be teaching. To be honest, my memory of elementary school is nonexistent, but I do have incredible memories and experiences from middle school.
My eighth grade science teacher, Mr. Wilford, taught me more about life than he did about science. It was because of him that I got to do a lot of things most kids can’t say they’ve done. The coolest thing about Mr. Wilford is that he plays guitar. I also play guitar. Another cool thing about Mr. Wilford is that he's a huge fan of the singer Jason Mraz, which I am also a huge fan of. Can you see where this is going? Basically, Mr. Wilford and I had so many things in common. I could walk into his classroom and talk to him about music and concerts. He was the first teacher I had a real connection with. But besides having similar interests for music we also shared an interest of traveling. In seventh grade was invited on a school trip to Costa Rica. This is where I first met Mr. Wilford. Costa Rica changed my whole view on a lot of things. Up until that point I was shy and very reserved, not to mention a picky eater who had to eat primarily rice and beans in Costa Rica. This trip allowed me to go outside of my comfort zone, and now I will eat anything and everything and I’m a person who isn’t afraid of new experiences. Costa Rica wasn’t my only trip with Mr. Wilford. I was also a part of an exchange program between my high school and a school in England. This trip brought me outside my comfort zone even more than Costa Rica because I had to live with a host family that I had never met before. The most important thing that the England trip taught me was to explore new places. It’s safe to say that Mr. Wilford changed my life. He changed the way I view teaching because he had such a fun approach to learning. He challenged me to come out of my comfort zone and to travel to new places. I will never forget the day he told me and one of my friends to wake up a little earlier than everyone else to go explore London. We didn’t know where we were going but we were exploring and that’s one of the things that has stuck with me; I’ve been infected by the traveling bug. Because of Mr. WIlford and the opportunities he’s presented me with, I am a whole new person. He taught me how to connect with new people, how to break into song in public without feeling embarrassed, and how to be passionate about what I'm learning because everything is connected.
I feel extremely lucky to have grown up in York, Maine. I was fortunate to travel the world at a young age and have teachers who were excited to teach. I think one of the most important qualities a teacher can have is excitement for teaching and learning because it excites the students. I hope to one day provide the same experience for students that Mr. Wilford provided for me.
HayleyDoyle
Whenever I am asked to name an influential person in my life, a few people come to mind, one of them being my fourth grade teacher: Mrs. Liddell. I could tell you every little detail about that class: where I sat, what kids were in it, and how much I cried on the last day. Her class was unlike what I had experienced in school up until that point. The class was individualized, and I felt like she personally cared for each and every one of us by working one on one with her. We were encouraged to think creatively, and to apply things like the math lessons to everyday life. For example, we did an activity where we created our own bank accounts. It was considered a math lesson, because learning about money was part of the curriculum. However, in the process, we learned how to handle and distribute money, write checks, and make deposits, all things that are essential to know in everyday life.
I remember writing a lot in her class, whether it was a personal essay, or an explanation of how I arrived at my math answer. I can recall one specific time where we were given some lines and were asked to explain a math problem step by step. It took me a long time, but I finally finished, and I raised my hand to tell Mrs. Liddell that I was done. She replied "Okay, now turn to a person who doesn't quite understand and tell them to read your explanation." So I handed my paper to the girl next to me, and she read it slowly. Then, she handed it back to me and said, "Wait, I think I understand it now." I was so proud of my explanation that I ran back over to Mrs. Liddell and told her that I taught my friend how to do it. Looking back, I realize that you have to be able to explain your thought process in a clear and methodical manner in order to fully understand the material. When I wrote that explanation, it wasn't just to teach my friend, but it was also a way for Mrs. Liddell to test my own level of understanding.
On the more creative side, I remember writing my own short stories in her class, not because it was assigned, but because I knew that she would take the time to read it and be proud of me. I wrote one about how amazing technology can be, and how something like a video camera can allow us to capture moments crucial moments in our lives so that we can look back and relive them later. I wrote about how much I loved to watch videos of myself and my siblings when we were little, and how lucky I was to be able to do that. I titled it "I Remember" and used ideas like repetition that we had learned in class. Traditionally in school, we are required to "write a two page paper using one example of alliteration, two examples of personification, three metaphors, etc.," but somehow, Mrs. Liddell got me to write using these things on my own, without being assigned. I was so excited to stay in for recess and let her read it, and I was beaming with pride when she smiled and said "Hayley, this is really good!" She continued to correct it so that I could write my final draft, and I still have it to this day.
A lot of the things that I learned in this class stuck in my head because we learned them in fun, hands-on ways. She was also the drama teacher, so she would read books with expression to really engage us. I remember her reading Shiloh and changing her voice with the characters. When she called on us to read, my classmates and I would try to mimic her tones. Another time, we were split up into groups to make a "Tiny Town." We had so much fun that we barely even realized that we were working. We measured the perimeter of our land and the volume of our houses, but we also got to come up with creative ways to layout the town and decide what stores would be in the town center. I know that these were effective ways of teaching because here I am, nine years later, recalling these little details. Sometimes, I still find myself singing the multiplication wrap that she taught us. In fact, I even taught it to a little third grade girl who I tutor. I have remained close with this teacher ever since because I co-run a drama camp with her every summer. In fact, she has already come to visit me in college, and I have spent a lot of time helping her out in her classroom.
GraceGleason
Elementary School Experiences
When I reflect back on the years, I feel as though I took my educational experience for granted. I was raised in a suburban middle-class town that was highly competitive. My school was not only competitive in academics, with pressure to take Advanced Placement Classes and become part of the National Honor Society, but it was competitive in athletics, the arts, and music, not only among students in the school but among neighboring schools as well. The majority of parents and teachers truly cared about the students and always had high expectations, traits I recently learned are not apparent in the majority of schools across the United States. I feel as though these mentors acted as support system that pushed my class to excel and strive to be the best we could be.
Teachers play an enormous role in shaping the lives of their students because children are at a stage where they are influenced with ease. When I was in third grade, I had an experience that helped shape my values. My teacher, Mrs. Nissi, helped us see life from new perspectives, other peoples perspectives. She taught us to include everyone and treat others as we would like to be treated. Days before school began, I received a call asking if I would help to welcome a new student who recently moved to Duxbury from a neighboring town. She would be placed my class and as a newcomer, would not know anybody. I was asked to befriend her by including her with my own friends to ease her transition and make her feel comfortable. Ironically, we are still friends today and I call her “the best forced friend a girl could ask for!” Mrs. Nissi taught us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes because she wanted us to think about struggles that others might face and take action to help them.
Mrs. Nissi was always trying to expose her students to new experiences and I feel like I truly learned about life in her class, rather than just how to multiply the 12s table. For example, she set up a unique program that brought senior citizens into the classroom to teach the students how to play cribbage, a popular card game. I learned so much from Mr. Howard, the man assigned to my cribbage group. He gave us thoughtful advice and would tell us stories that allowed us to understand him on a personal level over the weeks. We were able to see things from now another person’s perspective. Overall, Mrs. Nissi’s class was a positive experience because not only did I learn the basics such as how to write in cursive or how to transition into third grade, but I learned how to be an inclusive person that is open to new experiences and I can see the world differently through the eyes of others.
EmilyHudson
Elementary Experience: My elementary years were spent at Wakefield Hills in little West Warwick, RI. I was the first class to attend this brand new school from kindergarten to 5th grade. These years were some of my favorite, yet horrible looking years. I vividly remember my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Razza-Jones. At the time, I felt most free - didn't care what my hair looked like, make up wasn't even a thought, sweatpants and gym shorts( and not those booty gym shorts, I mean the horrible knee length boy gym shorts) were a daily thing. Mrs. Razza-Jones came to school every day presentable, yet you could tell she didn't put more time into getting ready than preparing her lessons. Now what did I learn that year? Honestly, I have no clue. I have no recollection of any wars we learned about, or the books we read. All I remember is coming to class every day and feeling safe and secure. A sort of protection overcame me every time I was in her presence, like she just genuinely cared about me as not only a student, but a person. Now you may be wondering, "why is this 10 year old so concerned about being secure?" I didn't come from a broken home or anything, my parents were and still are together. I had heat in my house, food on my table, and a bed to sleep on every night. But I did feel a certain sense of protection and security in my 5th grade environment that I did not receive at home. After my 5th grade year was over, security has become a top necessity in my schooling environment. And I don't mean I want metal detectors and cops at the end of every hall(that would simply make me more scared and worried). I now seek support with other teachers and friends with a sense of compassion that I'm not just viewed at as another student. I learned through my 5th grade teacher the kind of teacher I want to become; I aspire to provide a safe haven for all of my future students.
AlexisLavallee
My mom, a preschool teacher, comes home after every first week of school recounting how many children were dragged into the classroom kicking and screaming by their parents. It’s the typical preschooler’s first day of school fear that when their parents walk out the door in the morning, they will never see them again. I was certainly no exception when I was in preschool. My earliest memories of my education date back to preschool and kindergarten, when I would cry and wrap myself around my dad’s legs until I was coaxed away by a handful of teachers. My most vivid memory from this time was using the computer during class to email my dad when I missed him. It must have been around the year 2000, and my parents had just purchased our family’s first computer at home. Therefore, I was extremely excited when my teachers at school would help me type an email to my dad who was at work at the time. I would write about simple things such as what we did in class that day and who my favorite teachers were. After that, preschool didn’t seem so scary anymore. My teachers became more like friends to me as they helped me learn to write my name, and shared in my enthusiasm when I finally organized all six letters in the correct order.
From kindergarten to sixth grade, I studied in four different elementary schools. My parents had gotten a divorce when I was five, causing us to move from district to district. I attended Fishing Cove and Stony Lane Elementary in North Kingstown up until fourth grade, when I moved to Quidnesett Elementary School. I made most of my closest friends at the schools in North Kingstown, and also discovered my true passion for learning. Growing up, I always wanted to attend North Kingstown High School. My mom had always talked about what a great environment was for my sister and I to grow up in. These schools had high expectations for their students from day one. I remember most of my elementary school teachers and how they helped me grow and achieve my goals as a student in different ways. Mrs. Glover, my first and second grade teacher, held regular spelling bees in which I pushed myself to excel in. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Cameron, taught me how to write in cursive, and awarded us official “cursive licenses” when we were successful. In the fourth grade, I memorized the capitals of all fifty states, which I can still recite most of today. While I don’t use all of this knowledge in day to day life, my teachers made a lasting impression on me and always strived to help me do better as a student.
My most influential elementary school teacher was Ms. Campbell, my sixth grade teacher at Holliman Elementary School. I began Holliman when I moved to Warwick in the fifth grade with my mom and younger sister. Warwick had a bigger city feel than North Kingstown did. While Holliman wasn't a bad school, there were many others in the district that didn't seem to meet the same standards as those in NK. Here, I met a lot more diversity among the students. This ranged from class, to ethnicity and most noticeably the diversity in learning. Many of the students in Ms. Campbell’s class were at what could be considered the “honors level” in elementary school. Again, I was met with high expectations that I desperately wanted to live up to. She always pushed us to reach our highest potential. I not only gained a lot of knowledge from her class, but I gained lifelong values such as respect and manners. I reached for good grades, but always remained humble. From elementary school on I’ve always enjoyed learning and still feel a rush of excitement when I have an “aha” moment and fully grasp a concept I’d been struggling with. In addition to my academics, I gained a new sense of community as I entered Holliman. Most of the students here lived in the same neighborhood as I did, so it became easier to make connections. This school fostered new friendships and hard work, things I will always be grateful for in the years to come.
Many of my memories from elementary school include adjusting to different schools and making new friends. Mostly, however, I remember it as the time I discovered my true passion for learning. I enjoyed doing my schoolwork and had the utmost respect for my teachers. At first, I aimed to please both my parents and my teachers. Over the years, however, I realized it was most important to please myself. I had to do my very best for me, and find motivation within myself. I loved learning something new every day, and have countless teachers to thank for instilling me with the skills I will use throughout the rest of my academic career. I would look at my teachers with admiration every day, knowing the someday that would be me standing up there instructing a class. Surely enough, here I am nearly ten years later, beginning my journey of becoming a high school teacher. I hope to make a lasting impression on future students just as my teachers did for me, but most importantly, help students discover their own passions and achieve their goals.
TaylorLawson
Throughout my experience of Elementary school, my life was touched by many different people, teachers, staff, students, parents, friends and family. Each individual and all of my experiences have shaped me in to the person I am today and provided me with valuable skills that I will cherish and keep forever. A close district in Pennsylvania, Central Bucks was an amazing place to prosper and grow. Not only did I learn to read and write there, but I learned how to do math, write papers, be creative, play sports, make friends, maintain close relationships and many other things. My favorite thing about living there and going to school there was that every single teacher go to know there students; they got to know their strengths and weaknesses and used those things to educate them in the best way possible. This provided me with an environment I felt comfortable in and it gave me the confidence I needed to ask questions and be proud to announce the answers when I knew them. I was encouraged and inspired to be creative and to be myself and let my imagination soar. It was in elementary school where I decided what kind of person I wanted to be, which may sound a little weird because most people would say that they really found themselves in middle school and high school. I knew from then on out that I was going to work hard in school, get good grades, always continue what I was most passionate about, and be kind to those around me; all of these things I still keep with me today.
Being in this environment gave me a positive look on life, and I am thankful to have had that each and everyday of my life. I do not think I would have been the person I am today if I was in a different school district with different views and different teachings types. Because of these things, I believe in the importance of teaching children with a positive attitude and really getting to know them; every child is different and it is not fair to assume in any way that every single student has the same learning abilities and difficulties. As a society we need to understand the delicacy of children and learn the proper ways of encouraging them and teaching them with a strong positive attitude.
I can remember a distinct experience in Elementary school when I was constantly struggling with writing papers, I would get stuck and was just all-around confused. My teacher, Miss Gibbs, who knew me very well, saw me struggling and spent after school hours with me and time in class to make sure that I would learn. She wanted me not only to do well on that assignment, but have the ability to continue to achieve throughout all of my future years as a student. There are many other moments that allowed me to be creative in classes like art and music, which I was never too fond of, but allowed me to understand and appreciate those who were interested in those areas.
Another teacher that touched me dearly was my fourth grade teacher, Mr Tonik. Giving me the nickname, "Talkin' T" I felt that I was special and loved. I enjoyed my nickname because I was no longer afraid to hide my voice, because I was a very talkative person, and I was proud to show it. His creative writing exercises inspired me to really enjoy creative writing, which I believe is something every elementary student should use to their advantage.
There is so much to learn out there in the world, and I felt that I really got a feel for everything there was, at the time. I was accepting to all people and learned how to develop friendships and be kind to those around me. I am forever thankful for these years and hope to inspire children when I become a teacher as well.
BethanyLong
Going to Catholic school my whole life I would definitely say was a benefit to my education. I grew up in a moderately sized town where long bus rides were common along with having to drive for what seemed like forever to see your best friend because she lived two towns over. In high school I drove twenty-five minutes to and from school everyday, which apparently to Rhode Islanders is a lot. In school I was always limited with what I took, when I took it, and even what I took from it at times. I was so used to teachers standing over you to make sure your work was completed or at least attempted. They look to make kids succeed, not pass and I am very grateful for that. They look to you as a person and not just a number, as is said it larger schools and I think it helped me to know someone was always watching out for my best interests when it came to schooling. Thinking back, I guess I really do have one person who made an impact on my early education. My 7th grade Social studies teacher, Mrs. Sheridan, pulled me out of quite a funk. I was being bullied at school and therefore go home and resent everything about it. I never did my homework and I seemed to get by in overcalls except for social studies. She began tutoring me one on one but not only for her class; we would talk more like friends and we did not always discuss schoolwork. Not only did she help me with my course load, she helped me build back up my character. She helped me in more ways then I knew and I don't know where I would have landed educationally without her. I was never good at social studies or history to begin with, however throughout high school I was amazed by the grades I achieved. My senior year I received an award for one of the top averages in that class. My teacher and I to this day; recently I've gone over for dinner to catch up.
I don’t have very many memories from my early, early education except for one; my first day of Kindergarten. I was the first to go to school and my mom so excited for me. She quilted me a blanket for nap time, put bows in my hair, and made sure I was ready for all that was to come. She didn’t want her first child to leave the nest yet so she did all she could to soften the experience. I went to my first day and at the end of the day everyone was lining up for these big yellow cars, the school bus. I didn’t understand because I had never been on one before. I collected my belongings and waited patiently to be told where to stand. At the end of the list I was one of a handful of kids still standing. The children left out the back door and I was released through the front only to see my mom standing there. She was so excited to see me and all I could do was cry. She calmed me down enough to ask what was wrong and I told her I didn’t get to ride on the big yellow car like all the other kids. She explained it was the bus and she hadn’t signed me up because she thought I would like it better if she drove me. I was mad for probably two weeks after that throwing fits here and there, bringing it up. After that year, She wouldn’t drive me to school and I spent half my afternoons on the bus. I learned to hate them. Now, I do anything to avoid the bus of any sort; thanks mom.
MelissaMorris
EARLY SCHOOL INFLUENCES Starting in kindergarten, I went to the John F. Kennedy Elementary school, which most kids referred to as the 'JFK' or the 'jail for kids'. Looking back, it was not nearly deserving of the nickname... my neighborhood was primarily middle class white kids, and we never had any struggles, financial or otherwise, to overcome. But on my first day of fourth grade, I met my enemy: Mrs. B. As a straight A student, I was used to doing well in class; it wasn't that Mrs. B was necessarily a bad teacher, but somehow everything she said got on my nerves. Have you ever met that one teacher who comes off as pretentious, and tries to make you feel like you know less than them? That was Mrs. B. To give you some context of my fourth grade feelings, one morning our new spelling word of the day was 'beautiful'. Mrs. B's name happened to start with the letters b-e-a-u because she was French, so she repeatedly told us that the word was spelled after her name because she was so gorgeous. No wait, pretty, for those of us who didn't know what the really big word gorgeous meant. Painful? That's how I felt.
Fourth grade also happened to be the same year I got severe's disease in my heels. Severe's disease sounds a lot more serious than it actually is. Basically, the growth plates in your heels grow too fast for your Achilles tendon, so the tendon is stretched tight all the time. This makes running, jumping, and on some days walking, really difficult and painful. Severe's can put some kids in a walking boot, while only be exercise-induced for others. Unfortunately but fortunately, my case was in the middle. I still tried playing soccer (which was, even back then, my favorite sport), but I couldn't run too hard or too fast, so mostly I developed my defending skills. But every day at recess, my girlfriends and I would double dutch jump rope on the blacktop. And my dad told me that if I wanted to keep playing soccer, I wasn't allowed to jump rope at recess. As the jump rope queen, I cried for days when I found out that I wasn't allowed to anymore.
So fourth grade was rough from the start, and little me had no idea how to handle it. I hated my teacher, I couldn't play with my friends at recess, and that year we were also starting MCAS, the first standardized testing kids go through in Massachusetts. I was miserable, and for the first time, I began to not want to come to school. As autumn swept over the trees, the idea that had hatched in my head became ever more pressing. And then, I made it real by talking to my best friend Jess one Friday morning. "Hey, what do you think about leaving school during recess today?" I asked her. You see, the power lines that cut through the back end of the soccer fields were a shortcut to my neighborhood, and I knew how to get home from there. Jess was hesitant. She said she didn't think it was a good idea, but she really hated being in school too, so she would think about it. I told her I was done fearing the consequences, and little old me was just going to do it. She agreed to as well.
Recess came around and my adrenaline levels were so high I probably looked like I had eaten 20 pixie sticks before we began to run. We ran right along the fence, quiet and steady, hoping none of the teachers would notice. But since my school was well-staffed with competent teachers, one saw us and began chasing us down. When I heard her yelling, all the adrenaline left me and I turned around to look at Jess, who had stopped running about 20 yards behind me. As soon as we made eye contact, Jess started crying, which got me worked up too. We began to walk back towards the school in shame, hoping none of the other students had noticed our little attempted getaway. But the teacher who caught us had other plans. She yelled at us to stop crying immediately. Then, she made everyone line up early to end recess, and she publicly shamed Jess and I in front of all the other third and fourth graders by telling them about our endeavor and how we would be cleaning her room for the rest of the year instead of going to recess. I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.
The worst part came after, though. Once brought inside, I walked into the principal's office with my head low, only to find my mother crying in the chair next to the desk. I didn't even know what to say. Apparently the school had to call her twice to get her to come, because she didn't believe them the first time they called. Both ready and ashamed to face my consequences, I was first told that my friend Jess and I could no longer hang out during or after school, because I was a 'bad influence' on her. Second, I would spend the rest of the year's recesses cleaning the classroom of the teacher who had to chase us down. And third, I had to write a detailed letter to the principal explaining why I had run away. It was the question that burned in everyone's mind... how could quiet, studious Melissa pull a stunt like that? The weekend was awkward, to say the least. I begged my mom to not tell anyone in my family, to save the little reputation I had. And I wrote my letter about not wanting to take the MCAS instead of hating my teacher, because my teacher decided she would read the letter before I gave it to my principal. By the time Monday came, I was anxious about how my classmates were going to act around me. The last thing I expected was the applause that broke out when I entered the room, followed by claps on the back and a general feeling of admiration. My teacher shushed the class, and we began with our new spelling word of the week.
My mom says that I got all of my rebellion out in fourth grade. I didn’t make the connection until later, but for fifth grade my parents enrolled me in a small charter school one town over. The school focused on project-based education; developed students’ research, analytical and critical thinking skills; and got students involved in the community. My dad claims that he had been researching the school for a while, but I think my attempt to run away secured their decision. The school taught me great time management skills, work ethics, and made me a problem solver, things that today, I am cherishing.
SamanthaNinesling
Growing up on Long Island means that there are very different types of schooling. Luckily where I’m from we had an amazing school district with a faculty that truly cared about their students. In elementary school especially there was not a day that I did not mind going to school. Every teacher in every grade, K-5, was absolutely amazing and made my experience in my first school incredible. Unfortunately though, not every district has this type of schooling and it can effect their growth as a student.
My school district, East Meadow School District, is made up of fantastic teachers in every single subject. From art teachers to math teachers it is rare to find a mediocre teacher. The district is made up of 5 elementary schools and there is not one that is better than another. Each school receives the same budget, same extracurricular activities, and an equal distribution of teachers dedicated to their students. East Meadow Schools are also known around the country for having one of the best music programs there is. Every student has the choice to join the band, orchestra, or chorus in 4th grade and since the program is so amazing, most students stick with it until the end of high school. Starting music at such a young age seems odd to some people, but for us students it was a once in a life time experience. Elementary school music teachers introduced students to the world of music and taught them how there is so much more to schooling than just sitting in a classroom. I began playing the flute as a fourth grader and stuck with it until my last day of high school. If I did not have the music teachers I did in elementary school teaching me such amazing things at such a young age I feel as if I would be a completely different person. They opened my eyes to different genres of music, different instruments I could play, and the more you practice something how rewarding it could be.
Starting kindergarten at age 5 looking back seems so young. Leaving your parents and having to make friend on your own seems like such a scary thing at such a young age. The kindergarten teachers in my elementary school made us all feel safe and comfortable. They taught us guidelines of life in such a simple and understanding way. Without my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Waters, I would never have learned how to socialize correctly in groups or even how to read. Yes, my parents taught me the basics, but spending everyday with a teacher and in a classroom setting is really the key to learning social skills on a more deeper level. Growing up and moving from grade to grade in elementary school comes more learning skills. As we got older each teacher would get into more and more detail with social and behavioral skills. Without elementary school teachers no one would know the basics to everyday life.
With every good thing there is usually always a bad side as well. Going to public school meant having to deal with the people who are in charge of the school district as a whole. These people seemed to never respect the teachers, especially elementary. If something went wrong with a students grades in elementary school the teacher would get blamed and would sometimes start being watched by someone who has more power than them. If a student began to misbehave though, no higher up would want to seem to deal with it. With these people on the board of education never wanted to take the blame for not helping a troubled student and would blame their teacher. In middle school or high school it worked differently because each student has several teachers, so they could not pick just one to blame. They rarely seem to realize the hard work and dedication each and every single elementary school teacher puts into all their students.
I am forever grateful for being apart of the school district I belonged to. I am the person I am today because of my dedicated elementary school teachers. They taught me the way of life, from social skills to music. They taught me right from wrong, how to respect my peers and elders, and to always put others into consideration. Without these teachers to guide me I probably would not want to be a teacher in the future. I was lucky enough to apart of such an amazing school district made up of unforgettable teachers and students.
ChrisParisella
My early years in school are mostly a blur. Kindergarten, first, second grade - a race to finish the multiplication problems first, a race to establish just who was the smartest kid on the blacktop - we were put into a competitive environment at a very young age.
These early years of elementary school presented very little challenge from what I recall. The kids who were "on top" academically, so to say, were quickly determined and the first few years spent with these new friends were a battle to show each other just who the smartest was. I can't say I was ever on top at eight years old. It was close. Very, very close, but the classroom was ripe with competition for my young, developing mind, and I tried my very best to insert myself into that group of elite at the top of the grade book.
I can remember even as early second grade beginning to procrastinate.
If I could go back in time, I'd pick up my eight or nine year old self and shake some sense into me. If I'd known that even that early on in my academic career that developing that terrible habit that is procrastination would have profound effects on my future, I may have acted differently. Third, fourth and fifth grade, my three most recent years in elementary school, were also my best in a sense. The teachers I had over those three years showed to me traits I knew I'd always look for in my future educators. They were willing to communicate with me, expressive of their thoughts on not only my progress, but also on my shortcomings, they were clearly passionate about what they did, and enjoyed every minute of it, and most importantly, they all pushed us to think outside of the box, and stressed the importance of this skill for us, soon to be members of society.
In fifth grade, one teacher in particular, Mr. Castiglione, made something clear to me. It doesn't matter how smart you actually are. The most successful person in the room isn't necessarily the smartest, and I, by no means mean to say that I was hands down the smartest. However, despite intelligence, our effort is what defines our success, and by pressing into every academic challenge presented to us, "you could be the star." Much to my shame, I let those words slip by, and it wasn't until several years later that I recognized their significance. Even then, in his classroom, I continued to procrastinate. I can't remember ever starting a project early or finishing it early. It was always the night before. Extra credit work was extra. Why would I commit myself to extra work? The ease with which I breezed through my earlier years began to slip away, I was no longer standing at our classrooms academic apex, and I began to recognize that those around me were in fact, working harder.
It wasn't until high school that I realized what I was doing to myself, and as dismal as it may sound, our work in the classroom determines a significant portion of what lies in wait in each of our futures. By behaving the way I did in the classroom, I closed some doors. I closed doors to opportunities I've seen good friends of mine walk through while I look on in frustration. But I can only be frustrated by my own actions. They've earned that right, and while in my early years, I still did well in the classroom, I made some bad decisions concerning my work ethic and priorities that would greatly affect my future.
DawnParry
Elementary Memories
Education starts from the moment you are born. You open your eyes and instantly start learning about the world around you. Your parents are your first influence, shaping the person you will become from the moment they first hold you in their arms. You grow under their watch, and when it is time, they introduce you to another major influence: teachers. Suddenly, you are spending hours away from home with adults who are just as important to listen to as your parents, and your world will never be the same. From early childhood through early adulthood, teachers are major figures in your life, shaping not only the kind of learner you are, but the person you become.
My second grade teacher was especially influential to me. I have always been someone who learns by doing, and she included hands-on activities in her lessons and sometimes had class outside. When teaching at any level, but especially when teaching elementary-age children, you have to make learning fun for them, and she always did that. She would have competitions to see who could add and subtract the fastest, adding a friendly competitive element and an exciting time limit to what would otherwise be a boring math worksheet. The time limit ensured children would be focused on only math the for the entirety of the activity. I have always disliked math, but the competition got all the kids excited, and we wanted to do better and better. She had the sense of humor (and, undoubtedly, the patience) necessary to spend hours a day with second-graders. She seemed to have fun in class, and that made her students have fun, too. I was close to her and continued to visit her throughout elementary school, even it was just popping my head in the door to say hi.
She was very similar to my grandmother; they are both children at heart, always looking to have fun. My grandma came to a school board game day once and they bonded. From then on, she would always ask me, "How's grandma?" When my grandma took a cruise and went parasailing, she gave me a picture to show my teacher. This past summer, when I went on a cruise with her, we took a picture together parasailing, and I went back and showed my second grade teacher. She loved that I thought of her and I love that our connection is still strong years later, that she still cares now just as much as when I was her student.
My second grade teacher is a perfect example of the lasting influence elementary teachers have on children. I built a connection with her when I was young that continues to this day, much like connections children make with their parents. She got me excited about learning from a young age and showed me that school can be fun, shaping the student I am today at an early age. She showed me the kind of teacher I want to be, one who cares about her students outside of the classroom and far past her grade level.
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JennaSantoro
Elementary Schooling: I loved elementary school because the biggest worry in the world was trying to figure out how to write a sentence using the new vocabulary words until the third grade when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had a double mastectomy. The teacher's name was Mrs. Knapp. I remember sitting in her classroom in our little groups and I started bawling my eyes out because I was worried about my mom's surgery. My teacher took me out in the hallway and asked me what was wrong. After explaining everything to her she immediately hugged me and told me that my mom was going to be alright. Later on the night I found out that she emailed my mom asking how the surgery went and that she was praying for her. That meant a lot to me and my family and it will be something that always touched our hearts. It really influenced me and showed me how much teachers care about their students. Besides that little situation, I never cried in school. I loved going to school when I was younger.I went to Pre-K at Saint James which was a small Catholic school in Totowa, but then went to Washington Park School for another year of Pre-K which is also located in my town. I was only supposed to stay at Washington Park School until fourth grade, but at the end of fourth grade the elementary school and middle school switched so I just continued the rest of my schooling at Washington Park School. I would get good grades, I would do all my homework, and I liked all my teachers. Actually up until eighth grade I had straight A's. It was advanced Algebra I and the teacher really challenged us. Her name was Mrs. Capitelli. She was my favorite teacher in middle school. She made us work extremely hard for our grades and even though I received my first B in her class she taught me a lot. I truly believe she made me better in math. She was always willing to help me whenever I needed help which was actually quite often. She would also let me talk to her about anything else that was perhaps bothering me. It was teachers like this that made me want to become a teacher. Her specifically making me want to teach math. It is the teachers that actually cared about you that really impact your life and how you view it.
OliviaSeegers
My early education was made up of what stereotypical, New England school ideas you already had. Our building was at the center of town, and it was the
only thing people from other cities really knew about, because of how small it is. Our diminutive school was K-8, with about 50 children in each grade. I began
my career in Sherman School as a kindergartener. On my first day, curiosity got the best of me and I pulled the bathroom fire alarm; after that, my teacher
created the buddy system for all bathroom trips. Besides that one incident, Kindergarten went along with minimal problems. This was a time in my life where
there was no worries, and the only mean thing anyone had ever done to me was sticking out their tongue. After that, first through fifth grade seemed trivial. Math
and science were taught in the usual boring and slow manor, while my "reading and writing classes" taught me that my writing would be "not descriptive
enough" and boring without 10 different adjectives.There were inspirational posters on each wall, with kittens and puppies telling us to "Reach the Stars!" or
"Work Your Hardest." I believe a defining memory from elementary school has to be the first time I picked up a mystery book. Granted, I was in 5th grade and it
probably only had about 150 pages to it, but after that, I was hooked. "The Man Who Was Poe" by Avi was my first love in terms of "scary" or mystery novels.
After that, my favorite authors became Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley. One teacher in particular, Mrs. Linero, influenced my love for reading. She told me how books
could transport us to another time, place, or life. Becoming immersed in a book was like taking a vacation or watching a movie, changing my surroundings and my
interpretations of life. My favorite part of class throughout middle school would be our 3TR time, or Take Time To Read. That's when I would catch up on all of my
stories, ones that made my heart race and made me nervous, ones that scared me enough to check my closet and under my bed before I went to sleep. After that, my
main focus became Literature and History; I was no longer in love with all of my subjects as I had been before. Math and science became even more of a struggle in
high school.
JenniferStorch
As my grandfather walked me to my first day of kindergarten, I can still recall the anxious feeling in my gut. I just discovered the saying, "butterflies in my stomach". I remember envisioning thousands of magnificent monarch butterflies swarming inside of me. I felt safe holding my Grandfather's hand, I was reluctant to let go. He bent down and told me he loved me and he'll be there waiting for me at 12:30. He sensed my nervousness and confidently said, "you are unbelievable Jenny, show them how well you draw"! As I was greeted by Mrs. Waters, I was relieved, being that she had been my sister's teacher three years prior. I was extremely shy, practically too shy to speak. When we got free time I drew because I was too scared to make friends. When the other students saw the horse I drew, suddenly, everyone wanted to be my friend. Throughout the year I recall being known as the artist. It made me feel special when my peers asked me to draw things for them at recess and when my teacher hung up my work.
First and Second grade were pleasant and I made many friends whom I still consider my best friends today. In the third grade, I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. Reading and writing was always my best subjects and the topics I enjoyed learning. My teacher, Mrs. Renter, praised my creativity and informed me that my writing skills were well beyond my years. One afternoon, she asked me to stay late because she needed to talk to me. Naturally, I assumed I was in trouble. However, Mrs. Renter revealed that she had entered a few of my writing projects into contests for elementary school students and I won! She informed me I would be among other students across New York that would be honored in a ceremony in New York City for young writers. It would also be published in a children's magazine. I was incredibly shocked! I had never won anything before. My family was incredibly proud of me and when I called to tell my grandfather to tell him he said, "I knew since the day I dropped you off at kindergarten that you were destined for success". In those days my goal was to make my grandfather proud. His approval meant the world to me and he even flew up from Florida to attend my ceremony. My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Navarro, helped me discover my love for history. The way he spoke made everything seem so amazing and he always captivated my interests. I memorized the states and their capitals just to impress him. This was the year my intense study habits were established. My grandfather passed away in May of that year. Mr. Navarro helped me cope with the devastating loss and made me feel better about everything.
Years later, as a high school student, I went back to Barnum Woods Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday. I was a mentor at a program connected with a community service club and later became Head Mentor and in charge of the program. I visited my former teachers often. I was surprised and delighted to learn my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Lupo, who I greatly admired, kept all my writings to use as examples for his incoming students. Mr. Navarro passed away when I was a junior. During our academic awards, I received a scholarship in his name. I would not be where I am today without the guidance of my former teachers. They molded my mind throughout those crucial years of my adolescence and helped me discover who I am.
ElizabethTramonti
SamTubman
I absolutely loved elementary school. Every morning I woke up with a new sense of adventure in my mind and a twinkle in my eyes. School had never been challenging but instead interesting. The thrill of competition that seemed to dictate the schooling system is what kept me focused. I always had to know the right answer and had to know it first. I remember being brought to tears in my first years of learning whenever I answered a question or problem incorrectly. This idea of how school should be was completely flipped upside down when I met my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Pushee. She challenged my idea of learning and taught me that school was an exercise in self exploration instead of inter-classroom competition. One of the projects we completed was to research and explore the life of early civilization explorers. I finished in a very timely fashion and started goofing off in my class. I was always focused on doing what I needed to do to receive the grade I desired then entertaining myself. Mrs. Pushee then looked at my project and started asking me questions about the man I researched, John Smith. At that time I didn’t realize what she was doing, but now I know she was getting me excited to learn, instead of learning for the sake of tests. I had to learn how to be excited to learn.
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Early Education
I laugh every time I am asked about my elementary school years. I was the kid that took school way too seriously as a child, which I guess was a good thing in some ways. I have several humorous memories from the time I was in preschool through elementary school. Between wanting to go to preschool and being the ultimate rule follower in fourth grade, I can say that I was passionate about school as a child.
I used to get so angry at my mom because my older sister went to school and I didn't. The fact that my sister, Melissa, is 6 years older than me did not matter. I wanted to go to school just like her. When I was in preschool, Melissa was just beginning to learn her multiplication tables. I sat at the kitchen table and watched my mom and dad help her with her homework. Usually my mom gave me a pencil and a piece of paper to draw on so I could pretend I had homework like my sister. Melissa struggled with her homework almost every night and I would watch my parents go over it with her hundreds of times. Every time they started a new problem, I used my fingers to count out the answer. I knew the answer long before Melissa did. If Melissa was by herself doing homework, I used to give her the answers. Eventually my parents realized that it was me doing her homework and not her.
I am not sure there is anyone who took kindergarten as seriously as I did. I could not wait to take our weekly spelling tests. I loved them. At night, I used to fall asleep spelling out every single word I knew. My mom used to think I was talking to my sister, but in reality, I was just spelling myself to sleep. I aced every spelling test in kindergarten and always spelled the bonus word correctly until one day I swore the world was going to end. I carefully spelled out every word on the test and was confident in all of my answers. Then Mrs. Babirad said the bonus word. "Vacation." Simple enough, right? I thought so. I quickly wrote my answer and put my pencil down. I was done. I just got a 105%. I was positive. But Mrs. Babirad continued to repeat the word over and over again. "Vay-KAY-Shun." She was really emphasizing the "kay" part. I started freaking out because I knew it had to be a "c" in the word, but why would she be putting so much emphasis on a "k" sound? I thought about it for a long time and last minute I changed my answer from "vacation" to "vakation." When I got my test back, I cried. Not even a few tears. It was a river. I cried for weeks over it. My mom makes fun of me to this day because I came home crying saying, "I only got a 100, not a 105!"
When school ended and it was time for summer vacation, I lost my mind. I cried and screamed because I didn't want summer vacation. I remember asking my mom through sobs, "What do you mean I don't have school for the whole summer?!" Yes, I cried all summer. I just wanted to go to school every day for the rest of my life. From that day on, I was the nerd in the house. And I embraced it.
As a fourth grader, you could become a safety patroller. Every safety patroller was assigned a teacher. It was your job to go to school early and wait outside where each class lined up to go in for class. You were there to make sure the younger students stayed in line and behaved until the teacher was ready to take them into their classrooms. On rainy days, the classes lined up in the hallways outside their classroom. Teachers recommended that we bring stickers for the students who behaved each week. Each safety patroller was given a bright orange or yellow belt that went around his or her waist and over one shoulder. When I had that belt on, I felt like the most powerful being on the planet. I had a big purple clipboard and stickers that I carried around with me every day. I did not let anyone break the rules and I stopped a kid from getting bullied after he got a black eye the day before from a baseball. I made sure my class had the straightest lines and everyone was quiet while we walked through the hallways. It was probably the only time I had ever taken a position so seriously. I was not a rule breaker. I was not getting in trouble and losing my safety patrol belt over kids who would not listen. If there was an issue between students or if someone did not listen to me, I wrote their names down on my clipboard and showed the teacher after they were let into the classroom. I was the ultimate try-hard when it came to safety patrol.
I always took my school work and my extra-curricular activities seriously. When I was young, I had a strong passion for learning and leading. I always did the best that I could in everything I did. Preschool and elementary school helped me shape who I am today and I often see how my passions and goals back then reflect in my schooling today. My memories of schooling as a child are ones that I can look back on and laugh about because I know that I have that same mindset 15 years later.
I don't have one particular academic memory from elementary or middle school that really influenced and shaped me, but I certainly wouldn't be who I am today without my best friend David - who I met on the very first day of kindergarten! When I got home from school that day, I was sitting outside with my grandmother when he rode by on a tricycle- we lived two houses away from each other! And from that moment on, we spent all our time together. We also realized quickly that we worked well together, or, as well as kindergarteners can 'work'. When we started really learning to read and write, I got the hang of it - whereas David was stuck. He had a lot of trouble with just about everything we were supposed to try and do related to the English language. Luckily, I could help him! But then we started learning basic math: adding and subtracting. And to me it was the most challenging thing ever. To David, he had finally found his niche, and he got really excited learning how the numbers worked, while I was consumed with wanting to learn more about stringing together full sentences. We adored our teachers and we loved school, and learning. Though it was only Kindergarten, we pretty much stayed the same all the way to our high school graduation. Because we loved teaching each other, and eventually becoming tutors in high school, we sort of had a mutual epiphany that we wanted to be teachers, and hopefully emulate some of our favorite things about the teachers we had throughout the years. And now, we're both going to college to major in Secondary Education! Except his double major is math, and mine is Spanish. Without having such supportive teachers in elementary school that fostered a happy, warm environment for us, we might have turned out differently. Instead of thriving on challenge and enjoying to learn, we may have grown to resent our teachers and any work they gave us. It was in elementary school that we first learned the difference a great teacher can make - and also how a bad teacher can affect a student. I think for most kids, in elementary school you're still excited to learn. A challenge is something exciting, sort of like an adventure! Kids just want to soak everything up, and after elementary school, that desire to learn can fade. Looking back on it now, I see how important it is that a child's desire to learn be protected and fueled so they retain it all the way through their education, even through college. Perhaps without having met David, who was just as excited as I was, I would never have had much of a thing for school. If I hadn't had Mrs. Banahan, my Kindergarten teacher, who encouraged students to help each other, I might have never discovered the joy of watching someone light up when something finally clicks in their head. I'm not sure if that was academic enough, but I sure hope it suffices. It seems pretty important to me. The people you meet and befriend can have a huge impact on your life, and who you turn out to be!
Living in one of the biggest school districts on Long Island, with about 12 different elementary schools, everything always had to be done by the same standards. So every year the whole district would have to take part in the GATE test, which stood for the Gifted and Talented Education program. It was very similar to an IQ test. Basically if a student scored above a certain grade, they would be offered admission into the program. It was an incentive for kids to take tests seriously and be rewarded in return.
I didn’t really like any of the kids in the program the years before, so I never tried. I never cared enough about getting into the program and frankly I didn't care too much about school either. I did okay in my classes but put in absolutely zero effort, I was one of those kids who never had to do any work and would still get in the high 80’s to low 90’s. I knew I didn’t need to do my work and I took advantage of it. My parents would always yell at me and tell me things weren’t always going to be this easy, but clearly I didn’t care or believe them whatsoever.
But, one year that changed. My absolute best friend at the time got into the program and all she did was tell me about all the great things she did and all the new friends she was making. Supposedly they played games all the time and always got to talk in the class. So, the next year I was determined to take that test and get in and have as great a time as my friends were having.
The next year I actually paid attention to what I was doing and concentrated on my work. After working really hard and actually putting the necessary effort into my schoolwork, I managed to get in, and it was probably one of the best experiences. Not because I got into the program, but because I learned that if I just put some effort into my work I could actually be in the top of my class and considered one of the smart kids! I could go from average grades to great grades, and understand everything enough to help my peers. If there's anything that has helped me grow as a student and learn that I have a ridiculous amount of potential, it was that program.
I feel very blessed with the education I received as a child. In my small town of York, Maine education is very important. I have always felt safe and all my teachers were excited to be teaching. To be honest, my memory of elementary school is nonexistent, but I do have incredible memories and experiences from middle school.
My eighth grade science teacher, Mr. Wilford, taught me more about life than he did about science. It was because of him that I got to do a lot of things most kids can’t say they’ve done. The coolest thing about Mr. Wilford is that he plays guitar. I also play guitar. Another cool thing about Mr. Wilford is that he's a huge fan of the singer Jason Mraz, which I am also a huge fan of. Can you see where this is going? Basically, Mr. Wilford and I had so many things in common. I could walk into his classroom and talk to him about music and concerts. He was the first teacher I had a real connection with. But besides having similar interests for music we also shared an interest of traveling. In seventh grade was invited on a school trip to Costa Rica. This is where I first met Mr. Wilford. Costa Rica changed my whole view on a lot of things. Up until that point I was shy and very reserved, not to mention a picky eater who had to eat primarily rice and beans in Costa Rica. This trip allowed me to go outside of my comfort zone, and now I will eat anything and everything and I’m a person who isn’t afraid of new experiences. Costa Rica wasn’t my only trip with Mr. Wilford. I was also a part of an exchange program between my high school and a school in England. This trip brought me outside my comfort zone even more than Costa Rica because I had to live with a host family that I had never met before. The most important thing that the England trip taught me was to explore new places. It’s safe to say that Mr. Wilford changed my life. He changed the way I view teaching because he had such a fun approach to learning. He challenged me to come out of my comfort zone and to travel to new places. I will never forget the day he told me and one of my friends to wake up a little earlier than everyone else to go explore London. We didn’t know where we were going but we were exploring and that’s one of the things that has stuck with me; I’ve been infected by the traveling bug. Because of Mr. WIlford and the opportunities he’s presented me with, I am a whole new person. He taught me how to connect with new people, how to break into song in public without feeling embarrassed, and how to be passionate about what I'm learning because everything is connected.
I feel extremely lucky to have grown up in York, Maine. I was fortunate to travel the world at a young age and have teachers who were excited to teach. I think one of the most important qualities a teacher can have is excitement for teaching and learning because it excites the students. I hope to one day provide the same experience for students that Mr. Wilford provided for me.
I remember writing a lot in her class, whether it was a personal essay, or an explanation of how I arrived at my math answer. I can recall one specific time where we were given some lines and were asked to explain a math problem step by step. It took me a long time, but I finally finished, and I raised my hand to tell Mrs. Liddell that I was done. She replied "Okay, now turn to a person who doesn't quite understand and tell them to read your explanation." So I handed my paper to the girl next to me, and she read it slowly. Then, she handed it back to me and said, "Wait, I think I understand it now." I was so proud of my explanation that I ran back over to Mrs. Liddell and told her that I taught my friend how to do it. Looking back, I realize that you have to be able to explain your thought process in a clear and methodical manner in order to fully understand the material. When I wrote that explanation, it wasn't just to teach my friend, but it was also a way for Mrs. Liddell to test my own level of understanding.
On the more creative side, I remember writing my own short stories in her class, not because it was assigned, but because I knew that she would take the time to read it and be proud of me. I wrote one about how amazing technology can be, and how something like a video camera can allow us to capture moments crucial moments in our lives so that we can look back and relive them later. I wrote about how much I loved to watch videos of myself and my siblings when we were little, and how lucky I was to be able to do that. I titled it "I Remember" and used ideas like repetition that we had learned in class. Traditionally in school, we are required to "write a two page paper using one example of alliteration, two examples of personification, three metaphors, etc.," but somehow, Mrs. Liddell got me to write using these things on my own, without being assigned. I was so excited to stay in for recess and let her read it, and I was beaming with pride when she smiled and said "Hayley, this is really good!" She continued to correct it so that I could write my final draft, and I still have it to this day.
A lot of the things that I learned in this class stuck in my head because we learned them in fun, hands-on ways. She was also the drama teacher, so she would read books with expression to really engage us. I remember her reading Shiloh and changing her voice with the characters. When she called on us to read, my classmates and I would try to mimic her tones. Another time, we were split up into groups to make a "Tiny Town." We had so much fun that we barely even realized that we were working. We measured the perimeter of our land and the volume of our houses, but we also got to come up with creative ways to layout the town and decide what stores would be in the town center. I know that these were effective ways of teaching because here I am, nine years later, recalling these little details. Sometimes, I still find myself singing the multiplication wrap that she taught us. In fact, I even taught it to a little third grade girl who I tutor. I have remained close with this teacher ever since because I co-run a drama camp with her every summer. In fact, she has already come to visit me in college, and I have spent a lot of time helping her out in her classroom.
When I reflect back on the years, I feel as though I took my educational experience for granted. I was raised in a suburban middle-class town that was highly competitive. My school was not only competitive in academics, with pressure to take Advanced Placement Classes and become part of the National Honor Society, but it was competitive in athletics, the arts, and music, not only among students in the school but among neighboring schools as well. The majority of parents and teachers truly cared about the students and always had high expectations, traits I recently learned are not apparent in the majority of schools across the United States. I feel as though these mentors acted as support system that pushed my class to excel and strive to be the best we could be.
Teachers play an enormous role in shaping the lives of their students because children are at a stage where they are influenced with ease. When I was in third grade, I had an experience that helped shape my values. My teacher, Mrs. Nissi, helped us see life from new perspectives, other peoples perspectives. She taught us to include everyone and treat others as we would like to be treated. Days before school began, I received a call asking if I would help to welcome a new student who recently moved to Duxbury from a neighboring town. She would be placed my class and as a newcomer, would not know anybody. I was asked to befriend her by including her with my own friends to ease her transition and make her feel comfortable. Ironically, we are still friends today and I call her “the best forced friend a girl could ask for!” Mrs. Nissi taught us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes because she wanted us to think about struggles that others might face and take action to help them.
Mrs. Nissi was always trying to expose her students to new experiences and I feel like I truly learned about life in her class, rather than just how to multiply the 12s table. For example, she set up a unique program that brought senior citizens into the classroom to teach the students how to play cribbage, a popular card game. I learned so much from Mr. Howard, the man assigned to my cribbage group. He gave us thoughtful advice and would tell us stories that allowed us to understand him on a personal level over the weeks. We were able to see things from now another person’s perspective. Overall, Mrs. Nissi’s class was a positive experience because not only did I learn the basics such as how to write in cursive or how to transition into third grade, but I learned how to be an inclusive person that is open to new experiences and I can see the world differently through the eyes of others.
From kindergarten to sixth grade, I studied in four different elementary schools. My parents had gotten a divorce when I was five, causing us to move from district to district. I attended Fishing Cove and Stony Lane Elementary in North Kingstown up until fourth grade, when I moved to Quidnesett Elementary School. I made most of my closest friends at the schools in North Kingstown, and also discovered my true passion for learning. Growing up, I always wanted to attend North Kingstown High School. My mom had always talked about what a great environment was for my sister and I to grow up in. These schools had high expectations for their students from day one. I remember most of my elementary school teachers and how they helped me grow and achieve my goals as a student in different ways. Mrs. Glover, my first and second grade teacher, held regular spelling bees in which I pushed myself to excel in. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Cameron, taught me how to write in cursive, and awarded us official “cursive licenses” when we were successful. In the fourth grade, I memorized the capitals of all fifty states, which I can still recite most of today. While I don’t use all of this knowledge in day to day life, my teachers made a lasting impression on me and always strived to help me do better as a student.
My most influential elementary school teacher was Ms. Campbell, my sixth grade teacher at Holliman Elementary School. I began Holliman when I moved to Warwick in the fifth grade with my mom and younger sister. Warwick had a bigger city feel than North Kingstown did. While Holliman wasn't a bad school, there were many others in the district that didn't seem to meet the same standards as those in NK. Here, I met a lot more diversity among the students. This ranged from class, to ethnicity and most noticeably the diversity in learning. Many of the students in Ms. Campbell’s class were at what could be considered the “honors level” in elementary school. Again, I was met with high expectations that I desperately wanted to live up to. She always pushed us to reach our highest potential. I not only gained a lot of knowledge from her class, but I gained lifelong values such as respect and manners. I reached for good grades, but always remained humble. From elementary school on I’ve always enjoyed learning and still feel a rush of excitement when I have an “aha” moment and fully grasp a concept I’d been struggling with. In addition to my academics, I gained a new sense of community as I entered Holliman. Most of the students here lived in the same neighborhood as I did, so it became easier to make connections. This school fostered new friendships and hard work, things I will always be grateful for in the years to come.
Many of my memories from elementary school include adjusting to different schools and making new friends. Mostly, however, I remember it as the time I discovered my true passion for learning. I enjoyed doing my schoolwork and had the utmost respect for my teachers. At first, I aimed to please both my parents and my teachers. Over the years, however, I realized it was most important to please myself. I had to do my very best for me, and find motivation within myself. I loved learning something new every day, and have countless teachers to thank for instilling me with the skills I will use throughout the rest of my academic career. I would look at my teachers with admiration every day, knowing the someday that would be me standing up there instructing a class. Surely enough, here I am nearly ten years later, beginning my journey of becoming a high school teacher. I hope to make a lasting impression on future students just as my teachers did for me, but most importantly, help students discover their own passions and achieve their goals.
Being in this environment gave me a positive look on life, and I am thankful to have had that each and everyday of my life. I do not think I would have been the person I am today if I was in a different school district with different views and different teachings types. Because of these things, I believe in the importance of teaching children with a positive attitude and really getting to know them; every child is different and it is not fair to assume in any way that every single student has the same learning abilities and difficulties. As a society we need to understand the delicacy of children and learn the proper ways of encouraging them and teaching them with a strong positive attitude.
I can remember a distinct experience in Elementary school when I was constantly struggling with writing papers, I would get stuck and was just all-around confused. My teacher, Miss Gibbs, who knew me very well, saw me struggling and spent after school hours with me and time in class to make sure that I would learn. She wanted me not only to do well on that assignment, but have the ability to continue to achieve throughout all of my future years as a student. There are many other moments that allowed me to be creative in classes like art and music, which I was never too fond of, but allowed me to understand and appreciate those who were interested in those areas.
Another teacher that touched me dearly was my fourth grade teacher, Mr Tonik. Giving me the nickname, "Talkin' T" I felt that I was special and loved. I enjoyed my nickname because I was no longer afraid to hide my voice, because I was a very talkative person, and I was proud to show it. His creative writing exercises inspired me to really enjoy creative writing, which I believe is something every elementary student should use to their advantage.
There is so much to learn out there in the world, and I felt that I really got a feel for everything there was, at the time. I was accepting to all people and learned how to develop friendships and be kind to those around me. I am forever thankful for these years and hope to inspire children when I become a teacher as well.
Going to Catholic school my whole life I would definitely say was a benefit to my education. I grew up in a moderately sized town where long bus rides were common along with having to drive for what seemed like forever to see your best friend because she lived two towns over. In high school I drove twenty-five minutes to and from school everyday, which apparently to Rhode Islanders is a lot. In school I was always limited with what I took, when I took it, and even what I took from it at times. I was so used to teachers standing over you to make sure your work was completed or at least attempted. They look to make kids succeed, not pass and I am very grateful for that. They look to you as a person and not just a number, as is said it larger schools and I think it helped me to know someone was always watching out for my best interests when it came to schooling. Thinking back, I guess I really do have one person who made an impact on my early education. My 7th grade Social studies teacher, Mrs. Sheridan, pulled me out of quite a funk. I was being bullied at school and therefore go home and resent everything about it. I never did my homework and I seemed to get by in overcalls except for social studies. She began tutoring me one on one but not only for her class; we would talk more like friends and we did not always discuss schoolwork. Not only did she help me with my course load, she helped me build back up my character. She helped me in more ways then I knew and I don't know where I would have landed educationally without her. I was never good at social studies or history to begin with, however throughout high school I was amazed by the grades I achieved. My senior year I received an award for one of the top averages in that class. My teacher and I to this day; recently I've gone over for dinner to catch up.
I don’t have very many memories from my early, early education except for one; my first day of Kindergarten. I was the first to go to school and my mom so excited for me. She quilted me a blanket for nap time, put bows in my hair, and made sure I was ready for all that was to come. She didn’t want her first child to leave the nest yet so she did all she could to soften the experience. I went to my first day and at the end of the day everyone was lining up for these big yellow cars, the school bus. I didn’t understand because I had never been on one before. I collected my belongings and waited patiently to be told where to stand. At the end of the list I was one of a handful of kids still standing. The children left out the back door and I was released through the front only to see my mom standing there. She was so excited to see me and all I could do was cry. She calmed me down enough to ask what was wrong and I told her I didn’t get to ride on the big yellow car like all the other kids. She explained it was the bus and she hadn’t signed me up because she thought I would like it better if she drove me. I was mad for probably two weeks after that throwing fits here and there, bringing it up. After that year, She wouldn’t drive me to school and I spent half my afternoons on the bus. I learned to hate them. Now, I do anything to avoid the bus of any sort; thanks mom.
Starting in kindergarten, I went to the John F. Kennedy Elementary school, which most kids referred to as the 'JFK' or the 'jail for kids'. Looking back, it was not nearly deserving of the nickname... my neighborhood was primarily middle class white kids, and we never had any struggles, financial or otherwise, to overcome. But on my first day of fourth grade, I met my enemy: Mrs. B. As a straight A student, I was used to doing well in class; it wasn't that Mrs. B was necessarily a bad teacher, but somehow everything she said got on my nerves. Have you ever met that one teacher who comes off as pretentious, and tries to make you feel like you know less than them? That was Mrs. B. To give you some context of my fourth grade feelings, one morning our new spelling word of the day was 'beautiful'. Mrs. B's name happened to start with the letters b-e-a-u because she was French, so she repeatedly told us that the word was spelled after her name because she was so gorgeous. No wait, pretty, for those of us who didn't know what the really big word gorgeous meant. Painful? That's how I felt.
Fourth grade also happened to be the same year I got severe's disease in my heels. Severe's disease sounds a lot more serious than it actually is. Basically, the growth plates in your heels grow too fast for your Achilles tendon, so the tendon is stretched tight all the time. This makes running, jumping, and on some days walking, really difficult and painful. Severe's can put some kids in a walking boot, while only be exercise-induced for others. Unfortunately but fortunately, my case was in the middle. I still tried playing soccer (which was, even back then, my favorite sport), but I couldn't run too hard or too fast, so mostly I developed my defending skills. But every day at recess, my girlfriends and I would double dutch jump rope on the blacktop. And my dad told me that if I wanted to keep playing soccer, I wasn't allowed to jump rope at recess. As the jump rope queen, I cried for days when I found out that I wasn't allowed to anymore.
So fourth grade was rough from the start, and little me had no idea how to handle it. I hated my teacher, I couldn't play with my friends at recess, and that year we were also starting MCAS, the first standardized testing kids go through in Massachusetts. I was miserable, and for the first time, I began to not want to come to school. As autumn swept over the trees, the idea that had hatched in my head became ever more pressing. And then, I made it real by talking to my best friend Jess one Friday morning. "Hey, what do you think about leaving school during recess today?" I asked her. You see, the power lines that cut through the back end of the soccer fields were a shortcut to my neighborhood, and I knew how to get home from there. Jess was hesitant. She said she didn't think it was a good idea, but she really hated being in school too, so she would think about it. I told her I was done fearing the consequences, and little old me was just going to do it. She agreed to as well.
Recess came around and my adrenaline levels were so high I probably looked like I had eaten 20 pixie sticks before we began to run. We ran right along the fence, quiet and steady, hoping none of the teachers would notice. But since my school was well-staffed with competent teachers, one saw us and began chasing us down. When I heard her yelling, all the adrenaline left me and I turned around to look at Jess, who had stopped running about 20 yards behind me. As soon as we made eye contact, Jess started crying, which got me worked up too. We began to walk back towards the school in shame, hoping none of the other students had noticed our little attempted getaway. But the teacher who caught us had other plans. She yelled at us to stop crying immediately. Then, she made everyone line up early to end recess, and she publicly shamed Jess and I in front of all the other third and fourth graders by telling them about our endeavor and how we would be cleaning her room for the rest of the year instead of going to recess. I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.
The worst part came after, though. Once brought inside, I walked into the principal's office with my head low, only to find my mother crying in the chair next to the desk. I didn't even know what to say. Apparently the school had to call her twice to get her to come, because she didn't believe them the first time they called. Both ready and ashamed to face my consequences, I was first told that my friend Jess and I could no longer hang out during or after school, because I was a 'bad influence' on her. Second, I would spend the rest of the year's recesses cleaning the classroom of the teacher who had to chase us down. And third, I had to write a detailed letter to the principal explaining why I had run away. It was the question that burned in everyone's mind... how could quiet, studious Melissa pull a stunt like that? The weekend was awkward, to say the least. I begged my mom to not tell anyone in my family, to save the little reputation I had. And I wrote my letter about not wanting to take the MCAS instead of hating my teacher, because my teacher decided she would read the letter before I gave it to my principal. By the time Monday came, I was anxious about how my classmates were going to act around me. The last thing I expected was the applause that broke out when I entered the room, followed by claps on the back and a general feeling of admiration. My teacher shushed the class, and we began with our new spelling word of the week.
My mom says that I got all of my rebellion out in fourth grade. I didn’t make the connection until later, but for fifth grade my parents enrolled me in a small charter school one town over. The school focused on project-based education; developed students’ research, analytical and critical thinking skills; and got students involved in the community. My dad claims that he had been researching the school for a while, but I think my attempt to run away secured their decision. The school taught me great time management skills, work ethics, and made me a problem solver, things that today, I am cherishing.
My school district, East Meadow School District, is made up of fantastic teachers in every single subject. From art teachers to math teachers it is rare to find a mediocre teacher. The district is made up of 5 elementary schools and there is not one that is better than another. Each school receives the same budget, same extracurricular activities, and an equal distribution of teachers dedicated to their students. East Meadow Schools are also known around the country for having one of the best music programs there is. Every student has the choice to join the band, orchestra, or chorus in 4th grade and since the program is so amazing, most students stick with it until the end of high school. Starting music at such a young age seems odd to some people, but for us students it was a once in a life time experience. Elementary school music teachers introduced students to the world of music and taught them how there is so much more to schooling than just sitting in a classroom. I began playing the flute as a fourth grader and stuck with it until my last day of high school. If I did not have the music teachers I did in elementary school teaching me such amazing things at such a young age I feel as if I would be a completely different person. They opened my eyes to different genres of music, different instruments I could play, and the more you practice something how rewarding it could be.
Starting kindergarten at age 5 looking back seems so young. Leaving your parents and having to make friend on your own seems like such a scary thing at such a young age. The kindergarten teachers in my elementary school made us all feel safe and comfortable. They taught us guidelines of life in such a simple and understanding way. Without my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Waters, I would never have learned how to socialize correctly in groups or even how to read. Yes, my parents taught me the basics, but spending everyday with a teacher and in a classroom setting is really the key to learning social skills on a more deeper level. Growing up and moving from grade to grade in elementary school comes more learning skills. As we got older each teacher would get into more and more detail with social and behavioral skills. Without elementary school teachers no one would know the basics to everyday life.
With every good thing there is usually always a bad side as well. Going to public school meant having to deal with the people who are in charge of the school district as a whole. These people seemed to never respect the teachers, especially elementary. If something went wrong with a students grades in elementary school the teacher would get blamed and would sometimes start being watched by someone who has more power than them. If a student began to misbehave though, no higher up would want to seem to deal with it. With these people on the board of education never wanted to take the blame for not helping a troubled student and would blame their teacher. In middle school or high school it worked differently because each student has several teachers, so they could not pick just one to blame. They rarely seem to realize the hard work and dedication each and every single elementary school teacher puts into all their students.
I am forever grateful for being apart of the school district I belonged to. I am the person I am today because of my dedicated elementary school teachers. They taught me the way of life, from social skills to music. They taught me right from wrong, how to respect my peers and elders, and to always put others into consideration. Without these teachers to guide me I probably would not want to be a teacher in the future. I was lucky enough to apart of such an amazing school district made up of unforgettable teachers and students.
These early years of elementary school presented very little challenge from what I recall. The kids who were "on top" academically, so to say, were quickly determined and the first few years spent with these new friends were a battle to show each other just who the smartest was. I can't say I was ever on top at eight years old. It was close. Very, very close, but the classroom was ripe with competition for my young, developing mind, and I tried my very best to insert myself into that group of elite at the top of the grade book.
I can remember even as early second grade beginning to procrastinate.
If I could go back in time, I'd pick up my eight or nine year old self and shake some sense into me. If I'd known that even that early on in my academic career that developing that terrible habit that is procrastination would have profound effects on my future, I may have acted differently. Third, fourth and fifth grade, my three most recent years in elementary school, were also my best in a sense. The teachers I had over those three years showed to me traits I knew I'd always look for in my future educators. They were willing to communicate with me, expressive of their thoughts on not only my progress, but also on my shortcomings, they were clearly passionate about what they did, and enjoyed every minute of it, and most importantly, they all pushed us to think outside of the box, and stressed the importance of this skill for us, soon to be members of society.
In fifth grade, one teacher in particular, Mr. Castiglione, made something clear to me. It doesn't matter how smart you actually are. The most successful person in the room isn't necessarily the smartest, and I, by no means mean to say that I was hands down the smartest. However, despite intelligence, our effort is what defines our success, and by pressing into every academic challenge presented to us, "you could be the star." Much to my shame, I let those words slip by, and it wasn't until several years later that I recognized their significance. Even then, in his classroom, I continued to procrastinate. I can't remember ever starting a project early or finishing it early. It was always the night before. Extra credit work was extra. Why would I commit myself to extra work? The ease with which I breezed through my earlier years began to slip away, I was no longer standing at our classrooms academic apex, and I began to recognize that those around me were in fact, working harder.
It wasn't until high school that I realized what I was doing to myself, and as dismal as it may sound, our work in the classroom determines a significant portion of what lies in wait in each of our futures. By behaving the way I did in the classroom, I closed some doors. I closed doors to opportunities I've seen good friends of mine walk through while I look on in frustration. But I can only be frustrated by my own actions. They've earned that right, and while in my early years, I still did well in the classroom, I made some bad decisions concerning my work ethic and priorities that would greatly affect my future.
Education starts from the moment you are born. You open your eyes and instantly start learning about the world around you. Your parents are your first influence, shaping the person you will become from the moment they first hold you in their arms. You grow under their watch, and when it is time, they introduce you to another major influence: teachers. Suddenly, you are spending hours away from home with adults who are just as important to listen to as your parents, and your world will never be the same. From early childhood through early adulthood, teachers are major figures in your life, shaping not only the kind of learner you are, but the person you become.
My second grade teacher was especially influential to me. I have always been someone who learns by doing, and she included hands-on activities in her lessons and sometimes had class outside. When teaching at any level, but especially when teaching elementary-age children, you have to make learning fun for them, and she always did that. She would have competitions to see who could add and subtract the fastest, adding a friendly competitive element and an exciting time limit to what would otherwise be a boring math worksheet. The time limit ensured children would be focused on only math the for the entirety of the activity. I have always disliked math, but the competition got all the kids excited, and we wanted to do better and better. She had the sense of humor (and, undoubtedly, the patience) necessary to spend hours a day with second-graders. She seemed to have fun in class, and that made her students have fun, too. I was close to her and continued to visit her throughout elementary school, even it was just popping my head in the door to say hi.
She was very similar to my grandmother; they are both children at heart, always looking to have fun. My grandma came to a school board game day once and they bonded. From then on, she would always ask me, "How's grandma?" When my grandma took a cruise and went parasailing, she gave me a picture to show my teacher. This past summer, when I went on a cruise with her, we took a picture together parasailing, and I went back and showed my second grade teacher. She loved that I thought of her and I love that our connection is still strong years later, that she still cares now just as much as when I was her student.
My second grade teacher is a perfect example of the lasting influence elementary teachers have on children. I built a connection with her when I was young that continues to this day, much like connections children make with their parents. She got me excited about learning from a young age and showed me that school can be fun, shaping the student I am today at an early age. She showed me the kind of teacher I want to be, one who cares about her students outside of the classroom and far past her grade level.
I loved elementary school because the biggest worry in the world was trying to figure out how to write a sentence using the new vocabulary words until the third grade when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had a double mastectomy. The teacher's name was Mrs. Knapp. I remember sitting in her classroom in our little groups and I started bawling my eyes out because I was worried about my mom's surgery. My teacher took me out in the hallway and asked me what was wrong. After explaining everything to her she immediately hugged me and told me that my mom was going to be alright. Later on the night I found out that she emailed my mom asking how the surgery went and that she was praying for her. That meant a lot to me and my family and it will be something that always touched our hearts. It really influenced me and showed me how much teachers care about their students. Besides that little situation, I never cried in school. I loved going to school when I was younger.I went to Pre-K at Saint James which was a small Catholic school in Totowa, but then went to Washington Park School for another year of Pre-K which is also located in my town. I was only supposed to stay at Washington Park School until fourth grade, but at the end of fourth grade the elementary school and middle school switched so I just continued the rest of my schooling at Washington Park School.
I would get good grades, I would do all my homework, and I liked all my teachers. Actually up until eighth grade I had straight A's. It was advanced Algebra I and the teacher really challenged us. Her name was Mrs. Capitelli. She was my favorite teacher in middle school. She made us work extremely hard for our grades and even though I received my first B in her class she taught me a lot. I truly believe she made me better in math. She was always willing to help me whenever I needed help which was actually quite often. She would also let me talk to her about anything else that was perhaps bothering me. It was teachers like this that made me want to become a teacher. Her specifically making me want to teach math. It is the teachers that actually cared about you that really impact your life and how you view it.
only thing people from other cities really knew about, because of how small it is. Our diminutive school was K-8, with about 50 children in each grade. I began
my career in Sherman School as a kindergartener. On my first day, curiosity got the best of me and I pulled the bathroom fire alarm; after that, my teacher
created the buddy system for all bathroom trips. Besides that one incident, Kindergarten went along with minimal problems. This was a time in my life where
there was no worries, and the only mean thing anyone had ever done to me was sticking out their tongue. After that, first through fifth grade seemed trivial. Math
and science were taught in the usual boring and slow manor, while my "reading and writing classes" taught me that my writing would be "not descriptive
enough" and boring without 10 different adjectives.There were inspirational posters on each wall, with kittens and puppies telling us to "Reach the Stars!" or
"Work Your Hardest." I believe a defining memory from elementary school has to be the first time I picked up a mystery book. Granted, I was in 5th grade and it
probably only had about 150 pages to it, but after that, I was hooked. "The Man Who Was Poe" by Avi was my first love in terms of "scary" or mystery novels.
After that, my favorite authors became Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley. One teacher in particular, Mrs. Linero, influenced my love for reading. She told me how books
could transport us to another time, place, or life. Becoming immersed in a book was like taking a vacation or watching a movie, changing my surroundings and my
interpretations of life. My favorite part of class throughout middle school would be our 3TR time, or Take Time To Read. That's when I would catch up on all of my
stories, ones that made my heart race and made me nervous, ones that scared me enough to check my closet and under my bed before I went to sleep. After that, my
main focus became Literature and History; I was no longer in love with all of my subjects as I had been before. Math and science became even more of a struggle in
high school.
First and Second grade were pleasant and I made many friends whom I still consider my best friends today. In the third grade, I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. Reading and writing was always my best subjects and the topics I enjoyed learning. My teacher, Mrs. Renter, praised my creativity and informed me that my writing skills were well beyond my years. One afternoon, she asked me to stay late because she needed to talk to me. Naturally, I assumed I was in trouble. However, Mrs. Renter revealed that she had entered a few of my writing projects into contests for elementary school students and I won! She informed me I would be among other students across New York that would be honored in a ceremony in New York City for young writers. It would also be published in a children's magazine. I was incredibly shocked! I had never won anything before. My family was incredibly proud of me and when I called to tell my grandfather to tell him he said, "I knew since the day I dropped you off at kindergarten that you were destined for success". In those days my goal was to make my grandfather proud. His approval meant the world to me and he even flew up from Florida to attend my ceremony.
My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Navarro, helped me discover my love for history. The way he spoke made everything seem so amazing and he always captivated my interests. I memorized the states and their capitals just to impress him. This was the year my intense study habits were established. My grandfather passed away in May of that year. Mr. Navarro helped me cope with the devastating loss and made me feel better about everything.
Years later, as a high school student, I went back to Barnum Woods Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday. I was a mentor at a program connected with a community service club and later became Head Mentor and in charge of the program. I visited my former teachers often. I was surprised and delighted to learn my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Lupo, who I greatly admired, kept all my writings to use as examples for his incoming students. Mr. Navarro passed away when I was a junior. During our academic awards, I received a scholarship in his name. I would not be where I am today without the guidance of my former teachers. They molded my mind throughout those crucial years of my adolescence and helped me discover who I am.
This idea of how school should be was completely flipped upside down when I met my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Pushee. She challenged my idea of learning and taught me that school was an exercise in self exploration instead of inter-classroom competition. One of the projects we completed was to research and explore the life of early civilization explorers. I finished in a very timely fashion and started goofing off in my class. I was always focused on doing what I needed to do to receive the grade I desired then entertaining myself. Mrs. Pushee then looked at my project and started asking me questions about the man I researched, John Smith. At that time I didn’t realize what she was doing, but now I know she was getting me excited to learn, instead of learning for the sake of tests. I had to learn how to be excited to learn.
Early Education
I laugh every time I am asked about my elementary school years. I was the kid that took school way too seriously as a child, which I guess was a good thing in some ways. I have several humorous memories from the time I was in preschool through elementary school. Between wanting to go to preschool and being the ultimate rule follower in fourth grade, I can say that I was passionate about school as a child.
I used to get so angry at my mom because my older sister went to school and I didn't. The fact that my sister, Melissa, is 6 years older than me did not matter. I wanted to go to school just like her. When I was in preschool, Melissa was just beginning to learn her multiplication tables. I sat at the kitchen table and watched my mom and dad help her with her homework. Usually my mom gave me a pencil and a piece of paper to draw on so I could pretend I had homework like my sister. Melissa struggled with her homework almost every night and I would watch my parents go over it with her hundreds of times. Every time they started a new problem, I used my fingers to count out the answer. I knew the answer long before Melissa did. If Melissa was by herself doing homework, I used to give her the answers. Eventually my parents realized that it was me doing her homework and not her.
I am not sure there is anyone who took kindergarten as seriously as I did. I could not wait to take our weekly spelling tests. I loved them. At night, I used to fall asleep spelling out every single word I knew. My mom used to think I was talking to my sister, but in reality, I was just spelling myself to sleep. I aced every spelling test in kindergarten and always spelled the bonus word correctly until one day I swore the world was going to end. I carefully spelled out every word on the test and was confident in all of my answers. Then Mrs. Babirad said the bonus word. "Vacation." Simple enough, right? I thought so. I quickly wrote my answer and put my pencil down. I was done. I just got a 105%. I was positive. But Mrs. Babirad continued to repeat the word over and over again. "Vay-KAY-Shun." She was really emphasizing the "kay" part. I started freaking out because I knew it had to be a "c" in the word, but why would she be putting so much emphasis on a "k" sound? I thought about it for a long time and last minute I changed my answer from "vacation" to "vakation." When I got my test back, I cried. Not even a few tears. It was a river. I cried for weeks over it. My mom makes fun of me to this day because I came home crying saying, "I only got a 100, not a 105!"
When school ended and it was time for summer vacation, I lost my mind. I cried and screamed because I didn't want summer vacation. I remember asking my mom through sobs, "What do you mean I don't have school for the whole summer?!" Yes, I cried all summer. I just wanted to go to school every day for the rest of my life. From that day on, I was the nerd in the house. And I embraced it.
As a fourth grader, you could become a safety patroller. Every safety patroller was assigned a teacher. It was your job to go to school early and wait outside where each class lined up to go in for class. You were there to make sure the younger students stayed in line and behaved until the teacher was ready to take them into their classrooms. On rainy days, the classes lined up in the hallways outside their classroom. Teachers recommended that we bring stickers for the students who behaved each week. Each safety patroller was given a bright orange or yellow belt that went around his or her waist and over one shoulder. When I had that belt on, I felt like the most powerful being on the planet. I had a big purple clipboard and stickers that I carried around with me every day. I did not let anyone break the rules and I stopped a kid from getting bullied after he got a black eye the day before from a baseball. I made sure my class had the straightest lines and everyone was quiet while we walked through the hallways. It was probably the only time I had ever taken a position so seriously. I was not a rule breaker. I was not getting in trouble and losing my safety patrol belt over kids who would not listen. If there was an issue between students or if someone did not listen to me, I wrote their names down on my clipboard and showed the teacher after they were let into the classroom. I was the ultimate try-hard when it came to safety patrol.
I always took my school work and my extra-curricular activities seriously. When I was young, I had a strong passion for learning and leading. I always did the best that I could in everything I did. Preschool and elementary school helped me shape who I am today and I often see how my passions and goals back then reflect in my schooling today. My memories of schooling as a child are ones that I can look back on and laugh about because I know that I have that same mindset 15 years later.